Bahrain takes part in ICCA arbitration meeting in Madrid

The Secretary-General of the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR), Professor Marika Patrani Poulson, participated in a meeting of the Judicial Committee of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) held in Madrid, alongside the 27th ICCA Congress from April 12 to 15, 2026.

The meeting brought together committee members and featured the participation of Anna Joubin-Bret, Secretary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

Discussions focused on strengthening awareness of the judiciary’s role in international arbitration, improving mechanisms for the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards, and advancing the adoption and implementation of the UNCITRAL Model Law. The initiatives aim to support a more consistent and effective global framework for resolving international commercial disputes.

The committee’s work aligns closely with Bahrain’s continued efforts to promote international arbitration across the region, including its engagement with the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards and contributions to UNCITRAL working groups.

Bahrain was the first country to host a regional roadshow on the New York Convention in 2014 and later co-hosted another edition with Saudi Arabia in 2024, reflecting its ongoing commitment to judicial dialogue and capacity building in arbitration.

The participation of the BCDR Secretary-General underscores Bahrain’s active engagement with leading global arbitration institutions and its efforts to strengthen cooperation between judicial bodies, treaty organizations, and the international arbitration community.